My journey with mental health has been quite challenging. It all started around 2015 when I started experiencing depression. My brain just stopped functioning normally, and I became very emotional, making it hard to live my everyday life.
The situation was even more challenging because I felt isolated, and finding a specialist who spoke my language was nearly impossible.
“My experiences were not always positive, and coming from a different culture, I found it hard to open up quickly to counsellors.”
However, I eventually found comfort in a Vietnamese counsellor, who, despite not being Japanese, understood my situation better. This experience made me realise that sometimes having someone from a similar cultural background can be more helpful.
In Japan, the stigma around mental health is complex. While we use the term “mental health” now with a softer connotation, there’s still a strong cultural reluctance to address these issues openly. Additionally, our culture does not have a robust prevention system for suicide, making us very vulnerable.
I believe two things could help change this: creating support groups for Japanese people and encouraging the practice of our religion, even abroad. However, there’s a cultural hesitation to bring our traditions to other countries. We often feel it’s more appropriate to integrate into the local culture rather than maintaining our own practices.
“Throughout my recovery, meditation played a significant role.”
YouTube was a fantastic resource, and meditation helped me repair my mind. It was like being inside my brain, trying to fix the broken parts. This self-help approach was crucial because, during my struggles, I also faced financial difficulties.
Every culture has different tactics to help people get through difficult times, such as Ho’oponopono, which originated in Hawaii, and Origami and Zen meditation in Japan, which can be beneficial. Besides meditation, I listened to a lot of hypnotherapy, and tried tapping, NLP training and Ho’oponopono.
Additionally, I found solace in a job that was not too demanding. Teaching jewellery-making to people with disability is therapeutic for me and has provided a gentle transition back into work. It is an easy and relaxing job, perfect for someone recovering from mental health issues. I wish to share this experience with others, especially those who are in the recovery phase and not yet ready for high-stress jobs.
In the future, I hope to help others by training them in similar roles. Perhaps, by sharing my story, I can encourage others to seek out or create support systems that resonate with their cultural background and personal needs.
Sachi is an Embrace Multicultural Mental Health Lived Experience Group member.
Photos by GP Photographer.
